Security Forces Continue Hunt for Two LeT Militants in Shopian

A joint anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district entered its second day on Sunday as security forces intensified efforts to track down two local Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants believed to be hiding in a dense orchard in the Meemandar area.

According to officials, the operation was launched after surveillance cameras detected the two suspects on Friday in the orchard, which spans seven villages. Multiple columns of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) established a tight cordon around the area and cleared four villages before resuming the search on Sunday.

The two militants have been identified as Latif and Zakir , both residents of Kulgam district . Officials said the duo allegedly opened fire when Army personnel closed in on their position, prompting security forces to retaliate and triggering a brief exchange of fire. No casualties have been reported so far.

To prevent the militants from escaping through the thick summer foliage, the Army's Victor Force , a specialised counter-insurgency unit, has deployed additional personnel, sealed possible escape routes, and illuminated the orchard during the night. The dense vegetation has made surveillance and search operations particularly challenging.

Security records indicate that Zakir allegedly joined the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba in 2024 , while Latif is believed to have joined the outfit last year.

Officials said the operation remains underway, with security forces maintaining a tight cordon around the area. They noted that while foreign militants have increasingly been used in attacks, neutralising local operatives remains crucial to disrupting militant logistics networks and curbing local recruitment in south Kashmir.